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Tuesday, September 25, 2012

How to Really Celebrate the New Season...

Yesterday. The third official day of fall. It was one of those days on which the school books just had to stay tucked away. Apples and pumpkins and nature walks and acorn hunts were more important than workbooks and writing.

The day started early with the humming of the dehydrator, as a big beautiful batch of oregano was drying. A frost warning had called for a swarm of activity the day before as herbs were picked, carrots and beets were pulled, and preserving commenced. There's nothing like a frost warning to get the garden gears moving again.

And yesterday. Well, it was a good day. It was a day filled with potential. As the thick early morning fog was burnt up by the bright autumn sun, we seized each moment to learn. We learned with our hands. And we learned real living lessons.

Like how to make S'mores candy apples. And how to make homemade pie crusts and the yummy apple filling to fill them up. And how to wash, cut, and peel apples and steam the white slivers for applesauce.

Recipes were read and followed by the oldest. Little hands used measuring cups and spoons to portion out the precise amounts of ingredients ("because it is very important to be precise in measuring when one's baking," mama told them.) Stove and cooking safety was discussed and practiced. Science was actively learned while experiencing the shifting form of solid to liquid to vapor.

The older brother instructed and guided his little sister in which cups to use for each measurement and the little sister showed the older brother a few tricks for accurately measuring out the ingredients. :)

And as the applesauce bubbled and the apples were dipped, the day was declared to be a day of celebration. A celebration of a new season. A season filled with energy and color and change and beauty.

And the celebration continued as rolling pins rolled over pie crust and mason jars were filled with cinnamon applesauce.

As children learned confidence in the buzzing activity of a kitchen.

As new fall art was carefully chalked for display.

It continued at the farmer's market, where the perfect pumpkins and gourds were picked out and another bushel of apples was purchased for more applesauce. And, of course, the jug of fresh apple cider was not left behind.

It continued as gifts from God's hand were sought out during a trek through the woods. Interesting things to display on the nature table. And beautiful leaves with intricate vein patterns to rub into nature journals.

These gifts, all intriguing, all creatively fashioned. Acorns, leaves of all sizes, moss, twigs, wildflowers.

Yes, this was most definitely a day to be celebrated. A day to be cherished. A day not to be forgotten.

A day when "school" books might have been overlooked and routine might have been neglected, but minds and hearts and curiosity and exploration certainly were not.

4 comments:

Yes, that is truly the very best kind of school of all. Fall is full of the most delightful activities. You have made me very homesick for our children when they were small and home here with me. I miss them so much, and those days are the sweetest memories of my life. Your "s'more apples" look wonderful. It is wonderful to have pies in the freezer, and a pantry full. We are going to the farms at the end of the week to do just what you did. I have done applesauce and apple butter, but was thinking of doing a little more (not sure if I should though... tomatoes and chills will keep me busy for a while).

It is so nice to meet you and visit your blog. Your children are adorable and you are creating such precious memories with them. Fall is my favorite time of the year! Hope you'll visit often. I've signed on to follow you.

Hello Amber, I give the whole family a A+ :) I know the memories and hands on our pricelessmomments. I so miss my children and homeschooling days.But alas I am now a stay at home still, (Blogger) Happy FallBlessings, Roxy

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Welcome!

Hello! My name is Amber. My husband and I live in the rolling hills of the northeast with our children and just a few animals. We're doing our best to live a simpler, more self-sufficient life. You'll read about a variety of things here in this space - homesteading, homeschooling, knitting and crocheting, keeping house, and walking with Jesus. Thanks for stopping by. I pray that you are blessed!

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